Month: May 2016

“Himalayan Orchard Farm is quite literally in "Nature's Lap". Pristine surroundings, clean air and lovely hosts, Himalayan Orchard Farm truly is a place I would recommend to people looking for a getaway from city life. Michael and Devanshee are great hosts who would make sure that your stay is comfortable and you have whatever you … Continue reading Second Guests

"Just spent 2 days at this wonderful little surprise hidden away in Himachal near Shimla. The beauty of the place is only matched with the warmth of the hosts, Michael and Devanshee. Right from the moment we reached there, till their waving us off, we were made to feel most welcome and cared for. They … Continue reading Our First Review

The old fable of the six blind men being introduced to an elephant often springs to mind up here. They each touch a different part of the long-suffering beast and when asked later what an elephant is like they all come out with a different opinion based on their tactile experience. “Like a snake” says … Continue reading The Blind Men and the Elephant

Apart from two clapped out buses morning and evening (usually), the occasional cow and the odd leopard, we don’t get a huge amount of passing traffic. I have yet to see a leopard but there was a large feline pawprint in the mud 50 metres from our gate the other day, following some midnight growling. … Continue reading The Rag and Bone Boy

Roshan and Laikram have been sleeping with the potatoes for the last couple of nights. Porcupines have been invading, possibly attracted by the garlic that has been lifted over the last week. It’s been drying in the sun and ended up covering at least 10 square metres – certainly more than you can shake a … Continue reading Sleeping with the Potatoes

The principal attribute of being married, it goes without saying, is that one is no longer alone in this world. One has to think not only of oneself and the greater good of humanity but also try to see things through the heart, soul and eyes of one’s nearest and dearest. Rarely, if ever, would … Continue reading The Ties That Bind

A small green bird with a yellow eye-stripe hopped about the outside of the cherry net next to the Sky Terrace tantalised by the ripening cherries within, first thing this morning. Eventually it must have found a hole just large enough to push its way through, like an eel into a trap, and there it … Continue reading Second Table, Unfinished

Rustic breakfast table and roses Decided to replace the glass on some old mirrors and discovered some old newspapers behind, from 1961 and 1963. The following are a selection: The Hindustan Times, July 18, 1961 An advert for cigarettes: ‘More people smoke Simla than any other cigarette’, with a picture of the Himalayas on … Continue reading Mirrors